Change..Maybe..Not really working out...

Tried another steps of painting the roses..but..seems like it comes out the same..Probably got to change to a new hand..yeah...

While doing it feels like the brush drags...that cause the smudges...not sharp edges...thought prbly it's dry..put droplets at the toe....seems better. Got to practise more and more... Now..most times..I will practise on actual surface rather than paper coz'it will give a better feel of holding the rush.. What I can say now..I am painting with a heavy hand..thus I drag and picks up what i put on...also the case of being impatient..got to read the instructions more throughly like..when should wait until its dry..or when can do it while wet...etc..etc.. Above all..is to practise often..no matter which style you follow..you will getinto the habit of a particular way and to improve the skills... To each is their liking thus..everybody will view the paintings differently...So do what you like first but need to know the proper steps and methods...The rest..well..time will tell... Even though I messed them alot but each time I understand the methods better....

Painting Mess-Up-->Repair-->Tired Out-->Now Thinking...

All part of being careless and multi-task and lazy at the same time....Here what happens...it has a doily lace pattern...than accidentally smeared paint and didn't see it coz' from my elbow..try to slip-slap but everyone says its too dark..finally just repaint it again but I think it's a bit plain..was still hooked on the doily lace images...Out of ideas so..I went and do another project in pink almost complete while busy repairing at the same time... BTW..all patterns is exclusively mine and so is the color combination coz' I put it together from toughts..and just pick up the paints as I went along and THUS...the mess easily happens.... Now rethinking on the layout for where I do my painting 2-3x a week only....

Vine & Leaves Demo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwssw4TkXKI

Still Thinking On How To Finish This....

Tried using a doily for the center piece..mess it coz'the doily sticks to the surface.. Why..why..how..how..? Still..I proceed to paint the design..but still feel its not enough somewhat. My other half says..hide the mess up doily... I said..umm..it looks quite shabby in a way... What do you think??

This & That..WIP..Never Finish...

I have been stealing time here and there in Dec '2009 to get some of this done. My eldest was here frm msia for a week and then my 2nd came for 2 weeks when the eldest return to work again....Than our umrah trip for 5 days...This week school starts again and also my classes..thus the WIP.

This 2 round stands are for Linda who wants some flowers to be painted on them. At the moment still looking at some pattern books but no idea yet came to mind.

So..while waiting for some ideas to strike..I dabble on these wooden spoons. It was an Eco wood..very hard...I am trying Sky Blue as base coat to see how it turns out and Berries n Cream for the almost subdued pink. Turns out quite nicely.

This plaque with Mint Green base and streaks with Sky Blue....was actually practising to get the hydrangeas right..

This is another practise on how to do stripes on the base..coated with Baby Pink and striped with Berries n Cream....practise some string ribbons..the angle ribbons still doesn't turn out well..

This is a redo of a mess-up small flowers...turns out quite well the 3rd time around and booked by Illa...waiting for another coat of varnish before planning to deliver it end this week.

This is a door plaque request by kak Nas for her daughter..she said..pinkish..but I was not sure how pink..so I mixed 1:1 of Sheer Blossom with Warm White for the base...outside trim with Berries n Cream and Gold line..I hope she will like it...

These topiaries to be decided upon which one by Sue...but i am already falling in love with the sweet colors..probably i will make another one coz'I have just enough flowers but I have no more pot or vases....

So...these were what kept me busy...

Decorative Painting Books....

It has been a few years since I bought some of these books...the latest ones being the book from Zahir "Decorasi Seni Lukis & Decoupage".. he mailed 2 autograph books to me since I couldn't wait to get them next July. Zahir is an old friend from the Amcorp Mall Saturday Craft Bazaar.. It has been more than 7 years ago... The book by Nora, Aniza & Zaitun "Decorative Painting"was also mailed by sifu Nora and autographed. I am so proud to have these 2 books by our local crafters/authors..Hope one day..maybe I can come out with one of mine..he..he... Before that the only reputable craft book available was Aneka Kraf Tangan by Aishah Kamarudin... There were many crafts lessons given in the local magazines but none was compiled fully.. partial compilation was found done by Karangkraf..I have that too... You see...I am that bit crazy about books...

The other books that I have are Donna Dewberry @ One Stroke Method, Priscilla Hauser "Roses", Ros Singleton "Roses", Ros Stallcup "Grans Series", Tera Leigh "The Complete Book of Decorative Painting", plus various Northlight books. I also have about 3 or so DVD's... so with these and abt 4 classes with sifu Nora.. I manage my learning. I wish..that I have more moments irrespective of available time to improve my skills in decorative painting.....

But...thru all these..one of my designs was appreciated and done for somebody's customer who also do decorative painting. This is my a-ha moment when I was told about it...

Brushes For Decorative Painting... Daler-Rowney, Plaid, Langnickel, Loew-Cornell..

These are the brushes that I am currently using whenever I am painting.. I find that the brushes perform differently...within same type and brand and to different type and brand. Some have been used more by way of feeling that the results are better.

I got the Daler Rowney from Art Friend at The Gardens - MidValley. While Loew-Cornell from Craft Haven and also a painter who has a stall at Subang Parade every Sat and Sunday.. oops.. sorry..I forgot your name..

Plaid & Langnickel brushes I bought it from Zamil & Jarir in Al-Khobar..

I find that the holding of the Daler-Rowny brushes is more at ease for my hands and my way of cleaning the brushes seems the hairs holds better to a sharp point as compared to the other ones...I feel that due to the hairs are softer..I can shape my roses better..this is only what I feel....I do have favorite from the other types. For now..I am painting my roses using the Daler Rowney...Daisies using the Loew Cornell...while the rest will come in as and when needed.

I use separate brushes for base-coating, varnishes and rough surfaces.... as the experts has advised us to do......

Now..I am still in the adventure of figuring out further..brushes & strokes, brushes&cleaning, brushes&types..and of course life & costs...